Maternity Photographer in Saanich
Big views and gentle paths for moms who want beautiful photos without a tiring climb.
Many moms tell me they’d love maternity photos with a view, then quietly add that they’re not up for a hike right now. That’s completely fair. Your body is doing something extraordinary, and a photo session should feel restful, not like a workout.
The good news is that Saanich has some lovely places where the walking is short or level. I’m Alyssa, a maternity photographer based in North Saanich, and I’ve put this page together around one idea: how little you need to walk to get the photos you’re dreaming of.
If you’d like the overview of how I work first, take a look at my maternity photography page.
Three Saanich spots, from least walking to most
Here’s how I’d rank a few spots I love suggesting, starting with the easiest.
- Least walking: the summit of PKOLS (Mount Douglas), reached by road
- Level and gentle: the floating boardwalk at Swan Lake
- A short climb with a big payoff: the summit of Bear Hill
The details for each spot
PKOLS (Mount Douglas Park) has a summit with a 360-degree panoramic view, including Mount Baker on a clear day. Churchill Drive leads up to the top, and according to Saanich it’s closed to vehicles until noon each day and over holiday long weekends, and may stay closed in snow or ice. On an open afternoon, though, we can drive most of the way and spend our energy on photos instead of the climb. Golden hour here is something special.
Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary has a floating boardwalk in the middle of the wetland with a level, textured surface. Grasses, reeds and still water make a soft, natural backdrop, and the Swan Lake Loop is easy walking. The sanctuary notes an upslope on the south side of the loop and recommends the low-slope path instead, which is the one we’d take. It’s a peaceful place, so we’ll keep our voices low and move gently for the birds.
Bear Hill Regional Park, in the northern part of Saanich on Bear Hill Road, has gentle woodland trails through Douglas fir, Garry oak and arbutus, leading up to a summit that overlooks the Saanich Peninsula with views of Mount Baker and nearby islands. The CRD rates it moderate, so this one suits moms who are still feeling strong. The reward is a wide view with twisted oak branches framing your silhouette.
Making your session comfortable
Sessions are typically about an hour, and we’ll stop whenever you need to sit, sip water or simply breathe. Bring comfortable shoes for walking and change into dressier ones only for the photos.
I offer a free style consult and have a few outfits in my client closet. Loose, flowing pieces and solid colours tend to look beautiful and feel easy to move in. I can also share hair and makeup referrals if you’d like to feel extra pampered.
And if even a short walk feels like too much, maternity sessions can also be done in your own home. Soft window light, your favourite blanket and the nursery you’ve been preparing can tell a beautiful story.
I had a maternity and brand new baby photo shoot and before that I hadn’t had my pictures taken much, so I was pretty nervous because I didn’t know how to pose or how to really get my picture taken. But Alyssa was so amazing and made me feel so comfortable and pretty and told me what to do which was great! She even let me do some things I thought were cute and was very kind and flexible and the pictures came out so magical. She captured so many beautiful moments and I couldn’t be happier!
Lizzie P.
Questions families ask
Can I bring my dog to Swan Lake?
No. Under a Saanich bylaw, dogs other than service dogs aren’t permitted in the sanctuary. If your pup is part of the plan, let’s choose a different spot or photograph at home.
What time of day works best for summit photos?
The couple of hours before sunset usually give the warmest, softest light on open hilltops. I’ll suggest a time based on your date and the forecast.
Do you charge travel to Saanich?
Travel fees may apply for locations more than 25 km from North Saanich. Most Saanich spots are closer than that, but I’ll confirm when we chat. My Saanich photographer page has more local details.
Can I add newborn photos later?
Absolutely. Many families book both. Newborn sessions are best when baby is 5 to 10 days old, and you can read about them on my newborn photography page.
Let’s connect
Tell me a little about your family and the session you have in mind, and I’ll get back to you with dates and ideas.